Martha’s Vineyard Bridge Club results

Perhaps the only Islanders not watching the Olympics this week were the folks playing duplicate bridge.

At the Thursday, August 2, Island Bridge Club (IBC) duplicate game, Jim Kaplan and partner Bob Henry took first place overall with a 66.47 percent average score. Also playing east/west, John O’Keefe and Richard Williams nailed second place and Mollie Whalen and Joe Ashcroft earned a bronze (finished third).

Playing north/south Barbara Besse and Miles Jaffe placed first (61.75 percent average), Bea Phear and Nancy Neil took second place and Gail Farrish and Charlie Harff came in third. Eleven tables were in play.

At the Saturday, August 4, Bridge Club of M.V. (BCMV) game, Duncan Walton and Ann Brown grabbed the gold (62.01 percent average). Also playing north/south, Don Nelson and Charlie Harff came in second and Patsy McCornack and Joan Perrine were third.

Playing east/west Nancy Eppel and Betsy Salmond finished first (61.81 percent average), Charity Randolph/ Jerry Jones came in second, and Tillie Foster and Emily Robertson came in third. Eight tables were in play.

And, at the Tuesday, July 31 MV Bridge Club (MVBC) game, Carol Whitmarsh and Sari Lipkin grabbed the gold with a 64.06 percent average score. Barbara McLagan and Rich Alpert took the silver (second place) honors and Dan and Nancy Cabot came in third. Ten tables were in play.

Tip of the week

Life Masters Mollie Whalen and Joe Ashcroft remind duplicate players that the partnership aspect of bridge shows up primarily in bidding and defense. In bidding, it is essential to follow the partnership agreements. “Winging it” or “having a feel” for a particular hand is not good bidding. Be a reliable partner!

When and where

The MVBC game is held Tuesday evenings at 7:30 pm at the Stone Church in Vineyard Haven. Admission is $4. Contact Sue at 508-693-9396 or posturepal@aol.com for assistance in finding a partner.

The Thursday IBC game is held at Howes House (the UICOA) in West Tisbury. Play begins at 7 pm and costs $5. Please contact Bea 508-693-3791 or Beaphear2@gmail.com before noon on Wednesday for help finding a partner.

Both the MVBC and the IBC games are sanctioned by the American Contract Bridge League.

The Saturday BCMV game (sanctioned by the American Bridge Association) is held at the Tisbury Senior Center and offers continental breakfast at 9 am with play beginning at 9:30 am. The cost is $5. Contact Clara 508-627-5463 for details. Players needing a partner are welcome.